The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has dispatched an inspection team to Zimbabwe to assess four stadiums for possible certification. The team, led by Rwandan Aloys Mpambara, arrived in the country last night and will inspect the National Sports Stadium, Barbourfields, Ngoni in Norton, and Chahwanda in Kwekwe.
ZIFA is optimistic that the inspection will pave the way for the country's stadiums to host major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, and CAF Under-20 tournaments. The association is also keen to see local teams, Scottland and Dynamos, play their CAF inter-club preliminary round assignments on home soil.
"At the National Sports Stadium, the delegation will meet with Permanent Secretary Nicholas Moyo to review preliminary findings," said sources close to ZIFA.
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Mpambara's inspection tour follows a successful engagement visit to CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, by ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture, Nicholas Moyo. The visit aimed to lobby for a review of the country's stadiums by CAF.
Sources revealed that "a Confederation of African Football Stadium Inspection Delegation is in Zimbabwe to conduct official inspections of selected stadiums across the country and the inspections follow a successful engagement visit to the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, undertaken by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Mr Nicholas Moyo, together with ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi."
The inspection team will be accompanied by ZIFA Club Licensing manager Simba Gochera and the First Instance Board's vice-chairman Xolisani Gwesela. They will assess Barbourfields in Bulawayo, Chahwanda in Kwekwe, Ngoni in Norton, and the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
ZIFA is hopeful that the National Sports Stadium will pass the test, allowing the Warriors to play their 2027 Nations Cup qualifiers at home.
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